Donald Sarver

Donald "Pops" Sarver, age 89, of Madison, Indiana, and the son of the late Kessler Lee and Blanche (Meeks-Buchanan) Sarver, was born on September 6, 1935, in Madison. At the age of 14, Donald began working with his father laying sod on highways and interstates in Southern Indiana. He was a 1954 graduate of Madison High School. On May 3, 1959, he was united in marriage to Jeanie Bennett at the St. John's United Church of Christ in Madison, Indiana, and they enjoyed 66 wonderful years together. In 1996, he retired from Cummins Engine after many years. Along with his wife, they owned and operated Madison Photo until his retirement in 2010. Donald was a lifelong resident of Madison and was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ since 1960 where he held many offices. On January 22, 2017 it was proclaimed Don Sarver Day at St. John's UCC after his many years of dedication and service to the church. He was also a lifetime member and past Governor of the Madison Moose Lodge #765, a member of the Kentucky and Indiana Professional Photographers, the Diesel Workers Union, and the Fraternal Order of Police. On November 4, 2009, Donald was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. He enjoyed camping, traveling, playing golf, reading and watching old westerns, and enjoyed attending family outings.

Mr. Sarver passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at his residence in Madison, with his family by his side.

His life will be cherished by his wife, Jeanie of Madison; his son: Jeff Sarver and his wife, Kristina of Madison; his daughters: Kelly Esterman and her husband Ron of Madison and Kim Bruther and her husband, David of Hanover, Indiana; his sister: Ruth Ellen Sarver of Crestwood, Kentucky; ten grandchildren, Nickie Cox and her husband Dart, Dustin Sarver and his wife Kayla, Natasha Richards and her husband TJ, Jenny Webster and her husband Andy, Brandon Sarver, Jessica Dickmeyer and her husband Dustin, DJ Sarver and his wife Teri, Kristan Sarver, Kendra Copeland and her companion Clint and Emily Phillips; Extended grandchildren; Amanda Moeller, Mike Bruther, Tonia Bruther, C. Michael Schatzman and wife Calista, Constance Kerr and her husband Mike; Great grandchildren, Breanna, Emma, Kaydi, Kayleigh, Karson, Austin, Ciaria, Caylee, Andrew, Gracie, Alila, Ty, Teegan, Eva, Sammy, Wyatt, Aydan, Isiah, Isabella, Dakota, Michael, Bradley, Paisley, Paige, Drake, Nova, Willow, Treyson, Eve, Araya, Ryan; great-great grandchildren; Maddie, Rylan, Jersey, Liam, Braley; and several nieces and nephews. There are many friends and family who knew him as "Pops" and "Grandpa", too many to list.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son: Donnie Sarver who passed away on August 19, 2009; his great grandson: Angel Sarver; his extended grandson, Michael Barron and his brothers: Ralph Lee Meeks, George E. Buchanan, Lee Buchanan and James F. Buchanan.

Pastor Mike Straub will conduct funeral services at 3:00pm Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Lytle Welty Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Vail Chapel, 117 Holt Drive, Madison with interment to follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Madison. Friends and family may visit at the funeral home from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025 and after 2:00pm on Sunday until the time of service. The Moose Lodge #765 will conduct honor services at 6:00pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the St. John's United Church of Christ. Contributions may be made at the Lytle Welty Funeral Home or below.

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